Houston Texans News and Rumors

The Texans enter the divisional round of the playoffs as decided underdogs to the Patriots. And the Texans embrace that role. Which is a good thing, because they’ve earned that role. “Yeah, I love being the underdog. It’s my claim to fame,” defe

1978 Oilers good enough to beat Patriots

“From the fancy passin’ Dago to the Tyler bowling ball, those Patriots can be taken by the Oiler Cannonball.“ - Carl Mauck, from the “Oiler Cannonball” It was a less politically correct age, but boys would still be boys. So, just as the Texans

There’s plenty to learn from Pats’ four losses

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - All week, the Patriots have insisted Sunday’s game won’t be anything like their December thrashing of the Texans. “As far as specific plays and ‘this game is going to go the way that game (did),’ I think that’s ridiculous

Would Matt Schaub sacrifice his left ear if he could throw four touchdown passes and win at New England like he did at Denver? “Are you kidding? I’d give an eye, too,” Schaub said. And I think he meant it. Schaub had 290 yards, four touchdowns and a

History no predictor of outcome in NFL rematches

Nothing figures to serve the Texans better against New England on Sunday than some selective amnesia. First and foremost, they need to forget to pack their unlucky letter jackets, which apparently already has been made clear to them. It’s also best that

Sunday divisional playoffs preview: Tom Brady will lead potent Patriots offense to AFC title game

Houston Texans at New England Patriots Sunday, January 13, 2013 Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass. The Houston Texans have the most wins in franchise history, won a second consecutive AFC South title and, after last week's 19-13 win over the Cincinnati Be…

At times, the NFL fines players for plays on which no flag was thrown (right, Kareem Jackson?) Other times, flags don’t coincide with fines. Last weekend, Bengals rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict hit Texans tight end Garrett Graham and was flagged for

Key matchup: Arian Foster vs. Jerod Mayo

As we get ready for Texans-Patriots Part 2 on Sunday in Foxborough, the Chronicle will take a daily look at some of the key matchups. Arian Foster vs. Jerod Mayo Arian Foster became the first NFL player to rush for over 100 yards in his first three play…

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Every opponent the Texans face has to figure out what to do about defensive end J.J. Watt, who was named the league’s defensive MVP this week by the Pro Football Writers of America and Pro Football Weekly. For Patriots coach Bill B

Texans Patriots playoffs: Bring on Star Wars, A New Hope

I don’t mean to offend Patriots fans if I refer to your team as the Evil Empire. I am certainly not the first. It begs for the Star Wars treatment from all fanbases. C’mon, it’s the hoodie. And the ruthless way that the Patriots dispatch their ...

RTC: Columnist likes Jags' firm direction

Reading the coverage… Houston Texans J.J. Watt was the best player in the NFL this season, says Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus. He’s also the PFWA/PFW defensive player of the year. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports looks back at the first game and says what

Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips did not say anything controversial or disrespectful when asked on Thursday about how Houston will cover Patriots receiver Wes Welker this weekend. But that didn’t stop Phillips’ comments from becoming a story

NFL32OT: Texans-Patriots Set For Rematch

Episode 247: Merril Hoge breaks down the Texans-Patriots matchup. The NFL32 crew discuss which quarterback has the most difficult matchup against the opposing defense.

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'Playbook': Can the Houston Texans pull off an upset?

Jan 11

The "Playbook" gang breaks down the New England Patriots' playoff success at home and explains why even Houston Texans running back Arian Foster will have a hard time helping his team beat the Patriots.

03:09

'Playbook': Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

Jan 11

Do the Houston Texans or New England Patriots need the running game more on Sunday? Our analysts take a look at both ground games and also discuss how Texans defensive end J.J. Watt impacts the defense.

NFL Live OT: Sunday Preview

Sports Columnists

Don Banks: Niners-Patriots tops best potential Super Bowl matchups

Jan 11

The NFL's divisional round means we're down to the league's elite eight in the playoffs, and that's when the Super Bowl pairing starts to first come into view. There are still 16 potential matchups for Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans next month, and her…

Peter King: Ryan Longwell gets chance to rewrite history

Jan 11

RENTON, Wash. -- It's so strange to see Ryan Longwell here, out of retirement, into the NFL's Final Eight. This is the day he should have been doing a light jog, just to stay loose as his final pre-race prep for Sunday's Walt Disney World Marathon, whic…